Improvement in tpbaccp-cutters



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0. F. HARLOW. TOBACCQ-CUTTER.

Patented July 3,1877.

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PETERS, PHOTOJJTHOGRAPHER, wAsl-lmewn D C OHARLES F. HARLOW, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN KIMBALL, OF SAME PLACE. r v

IMPROVEMENT IN TQ-BACGO-CUTTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0 92,579, dated July 3, 1877 application filed March 12, 1877. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHAaLEsF. HARLOW, of Boston, inthe county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful or Improved Combined Tobacco Gutterand Case, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

The object of my invention is to provide a convenient pocket tobacco cutter and receptacle, whereby smokers can readily prepare their tobacco for the pipe without resorting to their pocket knives, and thereby unfitting them for general use; and my invention consists in the combination of a portable case or receptacle and a cutting-blade mounted upon a slide and operated within such shell or case, so that during the operation of cutting the chips or shavings of tobacco fall into, and are retained by, said receptacle.

It also consists in a. peculiar construction and adaptation of such case, slide, and cutter, whereby they mutually assist in the operation of gaging, holding, cutting, and retaining the tobacco.

It also consists in certain details of construction and arrangement of such case for the additional purpose of holding matches, in combination with the cutting device, all as hereinafter fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top view of my invention closed for carrying in the pocket. Fig. 2 is a top View of the cutter-slide and its actuatin g-sprin g detached from its case. Fig. 3 is a bottom or under-side view of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section on line a: m, Fig. I, viewed from the top of said figure. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 21 c, Fig. 1, viewed from the left of said figure.

The invention is composed, in part, of ametallic shell or case, A, having an aperture, a, in its upper side. Across'section of this case is elliptical in form, as shown in Fig. 4:, and it is composed of two pieces of sheet metal bent into the form shown, and having their edges united at b b in such manner as to form an internal ledge or rim extending along the two sides and across the closed end thereof. Across Figs. 4. and5. Also, upon the upper side of case A is pivoted a latch, d, for holding the slide B against the force of its spring when closed into its case, as shown in Fig. l. The

outer end or portion of slide B is formed to correspond in shape and dimensions to the open end of the case A, and is filled in between the metal surfaces, as shown at c, Fig. 5, so that when fastened in its case, as shown in Fig. 1, it serves as a cover to the open end of said case. Upon slide B is mounted a cutter, f, having a beveled edge projecting over an opening, g, in said slide, and upon its opposite side is attached an actuating-spring, h.

The operation of the invention is as follows: Slide B is entered in case A, so that it rests upon the upper side of the ledges b b, Fig. 4, while its spring h passes under said ledges, and is pressed against the closed end of the case, as shown in Fig. 5. When the slide is thus entered in the case, with the free end of its spring resting against the end of the case, but not closed, as in Fig. 1, the relative positions of the cutter f and aperture a are as indicated in Fig. 2, the dotted lines representing aperture (1. The cutter is held in the left hand, with aperture a turned upward, and the end of the case resting against the ends of the fingers, while the end of slide B rests against thejoint of the thumb in such manner that, by partially closing the hand, the slide is forced into the case, and under such pressure the cutting is performed. When the gripe of the hand is relaxed the actuating-spring h forces the slide outward again. Now, if a piece of tobacco held. in the fingers of the right hand is placed in the aperture a, against the offset edge 0, and pressed lightly upon that portion of slide B which is in front of cutter f, a pressure of the hand, as above described, will cause a shaving to be out from the piece of tobacco, which shaving will drop through the opening 9 in said slide and into the chamber 13 in said case. Now, by relaxing the gripe of the hand, the spring h will return the slide and cutter into position to be again griped by the hand, and another shaving cut and deposited in the receptacle i, and so on until a sufficient quantity is out, which may be poured out of the open end of the case for immediate use, or be retained therein by closing and latching the same, as shown in Fig. 1. The forward end m, Fig. 5, of the slide serves asa fixed gage, to regulate the thickness of the chip or shaving of tobacco which is thus cut.

The cuttingblade f may be attached to its slide, so that it can be conveniently removed for sharpening, if desired. This blade, when its slide is inclosed in the case, as in Fig. 1, has its cutting-edge completely sheathed there in, so that it cannot come in contact with other articles carried in the pocket at the same time.

I do not wish to confine myself strictly to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a tobacco-cutter, the combination of case A, having opening a, and the reciprocating slide B, with'its cutter f, substantially as described and shown.

2. A tobacco cutter having the case A formed in two longitudinal sections or parts, with inturning edges to serve as ways, in conr bination with slide B, substantially as described and shown.

3. A tobacco-cutter formed and provided with an outer case, divided transversely, and with a shearing-edge, in conjunction with an opening through one wall of such case, and a reciprocating slide, provided with a cutting blade, and arranged to move longitudinally in such case, all so constructed and arranged that such cutting-blade and shearing-edge shall, by the reciprocation of the slide, out the tobacco placed in said opening, substantially as described and shown.

4. Case A, constructed with an opening, a, and shearing-edge c, in combination with slide B, with its cuttiu g-blade f and actuating-spring h, arranged to operate together substantially as and for the purposes specified.

CHARLES F. HARLOW.

Witnesses EUGENE HUMPHREY, T. W. PORTER. 

